Not all plans are created equal. Neither is there one right way to plan. But there is a common enemy to planning – procrastination
In our article – Procrastination and The Law of Diminishing Intent – we look at the concept of diminishing intent. Which is the human ability to lose interest in something, if not acted upon quickly.
We fall prey to it every time we allow procrastination or apathy to set in. Over time, our inaction quickly robs us of these intentions. All our great ideas and wonderful plans fade away with the passing of time.
The faster you move on your plans, the more likely they will succeed.
4 types of planning
There are 4 types of planning typically used by businesses but are applicable on a personal level. According to Alvernia University, they are
1. Operational Planning – These are how things need to happen.
2. Strategic Planning – These are why things need to happen.
3. Tactical Planning – These are what is going to happen.
4. Contingency Planning – These are made when something unexpected happens or needs to be changed.
Everyone sets goals based on one of these criteria. Think about each goal and ask yourself what category it fits into?
- Is it an operational goal like how to plan your idea for a family reunion?
- Is it a strategic goal like dealing with broader issues like health or finances?
- Is it a tactical goal like preparing for an upcoming wedding or graduation?
- Is it a contingency goal like a back-up plan for dealing with a house falling out of escrow?
I add each of my yearly goals under a general category like health, finances, home life, mental, or spiritual. Then start planning accordingly. For more info check out our tools for better goal setting.
Learning from our mistakes
In my first company, I overlooked the importance of establishing a financial plan to handle my business. Wading through piles of invoices, bills, checking and credit card ledgers, showed I needed help.
Instead of learning basic accounting principles, I just bought the first accounting software I could find for my new Windows 3.0 computer. Relying on the program to organize things, I blindly filled in the blanks with information. Finally, the buggy software crashed. By then the company had filed for bankruptcy and I lost a years’ worth of work.
I should have spent more time planning and understanding my financial accounting instead of relying on a product from the fairly new financial software industry.
How to plan a plan
1 How does your brain work?
In an article called, Left Brain vs. Right Brain: What Does This Mean for Me?, the authors cover the left/right brain research dating back to the 1960s by Roger w. Sperry. The article summarizes it this way.
The left brain is connected to: logic, sequencing, linear thinking, mathematics, facts, thinking in words
The right brain is connected to: imagination, holistic thinking, intuition, arts, rhythm, nonverbal cues, feelings, visualization, daydreaming.
Planning relies heavily on both critical and creative thinking. So, understanding how your mind works will help you set plans you’re more likely to achieve.
2 Plan around your strengths:
The chance goes way up if our goals are in line with our skills and talents. Our plans to reach a goal will most likely rely on our natural abilities to succeed. However, even if our goals focus on a weakness, we will most likely rely on our strengths to implement our plans.
3 Fight the all-or-nothing mentality:
Working on our plan is a process. We learn that all plans deviate as we fight to stay on track. Over time we build resilience, find that every improvement counts and that each day matters. Even partially reaching a goal can be a success, if viewed from the right angle.
4 Build a network:
Relying on your own ingenuity only goes so far. Besides many of our goals are affected by those around us. It takes effort to find a support team. But is worth it. Try the website called Meetup or join our Facebook page.
5 Make it habitual:
In my opinion, habit beats motivation. Building a goal setting and planning ritual will establish a habit. Every December and January, I write my yearly goals. Then print a few copies and put one in my organizer, office wall, desktop and laptop.
The more we keep things in front of us, the more attention we give it. Then, starting each week throughout the year, I choose various items and set specific plans to reach these goals.
6 Be persistent:
Setting regular goals and planning for success takes backbone. We must remember that discouragement and setbacks are temporary. Every year I roll my unfulfilled goals over to the next year. This allows me to evaluate my performance on a yearly basis. If goals keep moving from one year to the next, I know it’s an area that needs attention or deleted entirely.
Seven steps in planning for success
Being successful requires planning and work. There are no get-success-quick plans. However, the easiest way is to
- Consistently write your regular yearly, monthly, or weekly goals.
- Take time to make an action plan for each goal or category of goals.
- Pick the goals you want to work on.
- Start acting right away.
- Review your goals and planning outcome regularly.
- Make modifications where necessary.
- Celebrate milestones.